Pandemic, pandemic, infodemic ........
Apparently the Corona Virus is changing .....
It is clearly continuing to infect people, in fact outbreaks, hot spots are resulting in local lock downs and the general rate of infection as reported on the news is rising.
But curiously deaths are beginning to, if not fall then at least, stabilise.
I have read reports that suggest that a virus can be quite intelligent, a virus can work out that if it kills everyone it infects then it will run out of potential and future hosts so if doesn't kill then it has a nice, comfortable home environment for as long as it need it.
Whether that is true I don't know.
But what is true is that this Virus isn't going anywhere fast and we will be living with it for some time to come.
Indeed it is questionable whether we will ever see normal again and the new normal will look nothing like the old normal.
Two metres distance, one way systems, masks, no hugging strangers, avoiding public transport, keeping selves safe and strangers at arms length all this suggests fundamental changes to the way we live our lives in the future.
It is hard to say whether we will see aeroplanes in the skies again, global warming appears to have taken a raincheck but whether that will be a permanent change in our relationship with nature is hard to say.
Traffic is beginning to appear on our roads again, parking spaces are back at a premium and, whilst masks are being seen more frequently it is a measure of the lack of clarity, as reflected in the U turn regarding masks in school, that buying your beer or wine in a pub doesn't require a mask buying the same beer or wine in a shop most certainly does, or doesn't?
We have been regaled with so many bad jokes on social media the worst of which was that we are not experiencing a pandemic but a 'pandemic'. (Ouch).
But as was observed in the book the Covid 19 Catastrophe we are not only in the midst of a pandemic but are experiencing an 'infodemic'.
I am aware that the information I receive is on the one hand helpful after a fashion but is also more information than I can sensibly process so I usually delete most of it and work on the principle that common sense is the best way to protect self and others.
It is also the case that communication has been disrupted. If you send 6 emails out there will, almost certainly be 7 understandings of what you meant to say.
Somehow in this Covid environment it is fair to observe that where there are two or three gathered together then it can be really hard if not impossible for them to get along.
I have heard from so many sources, from individuals and groups, about how relationships have struggled during the pandemic, how minor fallings out have resulted in major breakdowns in communication, friendships foundered and argument being the normal state of affairs.
I confess to having my own experience of this.
But, in our wider society it is not only the Virus, but news headline after news headline reminds us of the the threats to emotional and physical well-being of individuals and communities.
We read of a young Asylum seeker starving to death with her baby in her arms.
The Home Office comment that they 'take the well being of of all those in the asylum system extremely seriously' rings hollow. Undertaking a full investigation after a death somehow doesn't address the fact that she had lost her job after her leave to remain had expired and had been left to the mercy of friends and charities.
Post Covid it is essential that we address the systemic viruses of racism, sexism, ageism that establish and diminish hierarchies of human value while infecting the communal bodies of both state, church and world.
It is clearly continuing to infect people, in fact outbreaks, hot spots are resulting in local lock downs and the general rate of infection as reported on the news is rising.
But curiously deaths are beginning to, if not fall then at least, stabilise.
I have read reports that suggest that a virus can be quite intelligent, a virus can work out that if it kills everyone it infects then it will run out of potential and future hosts so if doesn't kill then it has a nice, comfortable home environment for as long as it need it.
Whether that is true I don't know.
But what is true is that this Virus isn't going anywhere fast and we will be living with it for some time to come.
Indeed it is questionable whether we will ever see normal again and the new normal will look nothing like the old normal.
Two metres distance, one way systems, masks, no hugging strangers, avoiding public transport, keeping selves safe and strangers at arms length all this suggests fundamental changes to the way we live our lives in the future.
It is hard to say whether we will see aeroplanes in the skies again, global warming appears to have taken a raincheck but whether that will be a permanent change in our relationship with nature is hard to say.
Traffic is beginning to appear on our roads again, parking spaces are back at a premium and, whilst masks are being seen more frequently it is a measure of the lack of clarity, as reflected in the U turn regarding masks in school, that buying your beer or wine in a pub doesn't require a mask buying the same beer or wine in a shop most certainly does, or doesn't?
We have been regaled with so many bad jokes on social media the worst of which was that we are not experiencing a pandemic but a 'pandemic'. (Ouch).
But as was observed in the book the Covid 19 Catastrophe we are not only in the midst of a pandemic but are experiencing an 'infodemic'.
I am aware that the information I receive is on the one hand helpful after a fashion but is also more information than I can sensibly process so I usually delete most of it and work on the principle that common sense is the best way to protect self and others.
It is also the case that communication has been disrupted. If you send 6 emails out there will, almost certainly be 7 understandings of what you meant to say.
Somehow in this Covid environment it is fair to observe that where there are two or three gathered together then it can be really hard if not impossible for them to get along.
I have heard from so many sources, from individuals and groups, about how relationships have struggled during the pandemic, how minor fallings out have resulted in major breakdowns in communication, friendships foundered and argument being the normal state of affairs.
I confess to having my own experience of this.
But, in our wider society it is not only the Virus, but news headline after news headline reminds us of the the threats to emotional and physical well-being of individuals and communities.
We read of a young Asylum seeker starving to death with her baby in her arms.
The Home Office comment that they 'take the well being of of all those in the asylum system extremely seriously' rings hollow. Undertaking a full investigation after a death somehow doesn't address the fact that she had lost her job after her leave to remain had expired and had been left to the mercy of friends and charities.
Post Covid it is essential that we address the systemic viruses of racism, sexism, ageism that establish and diminish hierarchies of human value while infecting the communal bodies of both state, church and world.
We definitely need more common sense. The trouble is not everybody's idea of common sense is the same. Yes, we have information overload, and people's use of statistics and data is too often almost criminal but if we are to address those systemic viruses which have been with us for years - racism, sexism, ageism, poverty and deprivation, then I believe good data, information and analysis are key, along with of course, a belief in a fairer and more caring society.
ReplyDeleteHope all is well in sunny County Durham Geoff.
We claim to be a Christian society, but over and over again, I have found, that, that extends only if you fit into that particular "Christian's" way of thinking and beliefs, a true Christian is one who can see and hear all opinions and remain rational, loving, understanding and above all accepting if things do not go their way,
ReplyDeleteDo unto others as you would have done to yourself is a good maxim to work within.
My thoughts and prayers go to all those affected by this horrible virus and my eternal thanks to all who have tried to maintain some kind of normality throughout.